Sam Sarpong dies aged 40 after leaping off a bridge

‘His passing is a loss for the world’Sam Sarpong, 40, jumped from a bridge in California after police officers spent several hours trying to talk him down, and his death is now being investigated as a suicide according to Los Angeles County coroner’s office. #Crew #Love #RIP #SamSarpong We have to remember to lift each other up, because we all we got out here. #GreatSpirit #GreatSoul #GreatHeart #GoneTooSoon Sam’s publicist J.D. Sobol, confirmed his death to Variety in a statement : ‘It is with great sadness that the family of Samuel Sarpong, Jr. must share the news that Sam has passed away. ‘The circumstances surrounding his death are currently under investigation and no additional details are known at this time. The British born actor and television personality moved to the US and forged a succesful career as catwalk model, working for Tommy Hilfiger, Gucci and Versace and became Louis Vuitton’s first black male model. “The family appreciates the thoughts prayers and other expressions of sympathy, and request their privacy be respected at this extremely difficult time.” Paying tribute to Mr Sarpong on Instagram, his Yo Momma co-star Wilder Valderrama said: “I am so sad and so confused. Sam wasn’t that well known in the UK – he co-hosted MTV’s Yo Mamma – but as an actor in the States, he appeared in TV shows My So-Called Life, Veronica Mars, Everybody Hates Chris, Cold Case, and 24. Sam did it all, believed in dreaming bigger than anyone around him… We made memories together that will last us forever, thank you for sharing your talent with me and the world… Find your peace my brother! “And to everyone in a dark place… PLEASE, please talk to someone… Anyone… Trust me that we WILL listen.

My prayers and heart are with family and friends that were blessed to know his beautiful soul.” Earlier this year Sam posted a picture of himself with June, a panellist on ITV’s Loose Women who recently appeared as part of the campaign to keep Britain in the EU, which he captioned: “with my #Supastar sis June”.